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Genre ~ Hard Bop, Soul | Label ~ GRP/Verve
In this set of nine originals, the Horace Silver touch is clearly evident: happy, strong melodies; groovin' beats; Silver's deft, deliberate, bluesy piano comping and boppin' leads; and the joyful playing of saxophonist Jimmy Greene and trumpeter Ryan Kisor, which seems to be more intense in the context of Silver's unmistakable compositions. The CD's title is in reference to the album's content (and that the listener has to go along with Silver's adoration in a nonsexist way toward women). Some might be offended by the title "I Love Annie's Fanny," but it's just the name of a bouncy, mainstream jazz ditty that Silver is so well known for writing. There are some clichés that pop up in old Silver numbers that he seems to have rewritten. Phrases of "Cape Verdean Blues" creep into the urgent first movement of "The Mama Suite," and his typical groove waltz is extant in the opener "Satisfaction Guaranteed" and the closer "Where Do I Go From Here?" But his tunefully familiar, head-noddin' original funk is a vital as ever, and sounds pretty fresh compared to some of the trite neo-bop being reprocessed this past decade. Silver's light, spare, soulful style -- particularly when he uses his left hand in tandem with John Webber's bass -- is a sound for sore ears, one that has a universal, timeless appeal, crossing generational and commercial barriers. This is well-played music, a specialty Silver has envisioned and realized through the bulk of his career. Highly recommended. ~Allmusic
Tracklist:
01. Satisfaction Guaranteed (5:49)
02. The Mama Suite Part I: Not Enough Mama (5:36)
03. The Mama Suite Part II: Too Much Mama (4:52)
04. The Mama Suite Part III: Just Right Mama (4:08)
05. Philley Millie (4:45)
06. Ah-Ma-Tell (6:00)
07. I Love Annie's Fanny (4:48)
08. Gloria (7:34)
09. Where Do I Go from Here? (4:01)
All songs, lyrics, and arrangements by Horace Silver
Personnel:
Horace Silver - piano
Ryan Kisor - trumpet
Jimmy Greene - tenor and soprano sax
John Webber - bass
Willie Jones III - drums
Recorded by Jim Anderson, December 17 and 18, 1998 at Avatar Studios; New York
Mixed by Al Schmitt, January 1999 at Schnee Studios, Burbank
Mastered by Doug Sax at The Mastering Lab, Hollywood
Production coordination: Marsha Black
Illustrations: Peter de Seve
Background Art: Kaei Ishiara
Art Direction: Hollis King
Design: Isabelle Wong / Isthetic
Release coordination: Theodora Kuslan
Produced by Horace Silver and Silveto Productions, Inc.
Executive Producer: Tommy LiPuma
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